Female Protagonist Assistance System

The following days unfolded as Gu Xun’er anticipated. Every day, under Xiao Han’s guidance, she had to complete various trainings in physical fitness, flexibility, reaction speed, and adaptability, which was incredibly grueling. However, after each training session, Xiao Han would prepare a medicinal bath for her. While not particularly expensive, it was perfect for alleviating Gu Xun’er’s body aches.

Periodically, Xiao Han would spar with Gu Xun’er to assess the training effects, enrich Gu Xun’er’s combat experience, and identify her weaknesses in battle.

Soon, Gu Xun’er noticed her combat skills improving rapidly. She became more proficient with her battle techniques and could withstand Xiao Han’s attacks for longer periods.

Time passed swiftly, and soon the day of the coming-of-age ceremony arrived.

For a family to maintain long-lasting prosperity, the most crucial factor is maintaining vitality. The source of this vitality is the younger generation within the family. They are the fresh blood, and only with the continuous influx of new blood can the family, as a great machine, keep functioning.

Therefore, the coming-of-age ceremony is a significant event that every family takes extremely seriously, and the Xiao Family is no exception.

As one of the three major families in Wutan City, the Xiao Family’s coming-of-age ceremony naturally attracted attention from various forces in the city. Some friendly forces were even directly invited to participate in the ceremony.

Before the coming-of-age ceremony, the Xiao Family conducted a test, eliminating those clan members below seven stages of Dou Disciple. Only those with seven stages of Dou Disciple or above were qualified to participate in the ceremony.

Xiao Yan had somehow persuaded Xiao Zhan and two elders to let him bypass that test.

At that time, the system was quite confused.

[Host, according to the plot, Xiao Yan should already be at seven stages of Dou Disciple at this point. Why is he trying to avoid this test?]

Xiao Han, who had just finished instructing Gu Xun’er and was walking back, heard the system’s question and gave a cold laugh: “Because he wants to ‘remain silent until making a stunning debut’. Many people from other forces will be observing the coming-of-age ceremony. Tell me, is it more satisfying to reveal his strength in a relatively unimportant test and slap the faces of those who look down on him, or to do so at a grand occasion like the coming-of-age ceremony? After all, who in Wutan City doesn’t know of Xiao Yan’s reputation as a waste? Which method is more satisfying: having others spread the word that he’s no longer a waste, or letting those forces witness the ‘genius’ return with their own eyes?”

However, it must be said that Xiao Yan’s move was absolutely underhanded. As the clan leader’s son, his every word and action should set an example for the Xiao Family’s younger generation. Yet he sought special privileges. How would the other Xiao Family disciples view him? Even if he demonstrates his true strength at the coming-of-age ceremony, his selfish, arrogant, and opportunistic image would be deeply ingrained in every Xiao Family member’s heart.

Moreover…

Xiao Han curled her lips slightly. By making such a willful request, his image in Xiao Zhan’s heart would likely be greatly diminished.

She wondered how this biased father would react upon learning that his most beloved son was such a person.

Before the ceremony began, Xiao Han found a secluded corner, leaning lazily against a large tree. Gu Xun’er stood beside her, eyes filled with mirth, appearing not at all nervous.

Watching Xiao Han standing with Gu Xun’er, the young men in the area felt varying degrees of envy. Among the Xiao Family, perhaps only this unremarkable Xiao Han, the Fourth Young Miss, could be so close to Miss Xun’er.

“How much of your strength does Senior Sister plan to reveal this time?” Gu Xun’er asked with a beaming smile.

Xiao Han glanced at her lazily: “Around nine stages.”

As for why around nine stages…

Xiao Han secretly curled her lips. Because in the original story, Xiao Yan had demonstrated eight stages of strength at the coming-of-age ceremony.

She narrowed her eyes, gazing at the massive platform in the distance, built specially for this ceremony using giant logs.

However, she wasn’t looking at the ceremony venue, but at the alluring woman in a red dress near the wooden platform.

Yafei.

Yafei was chatting amiably with others, her every smile and frown exuding mature charm. Her voluptuous figure, partially concealed by the red dress, was incredibly alluring. By now, quite a crowd had gathered around her, making it the liveliest group below the stage.

As if sensing the gaze, Yafei turned her head and saw the expressionless Xiao Han and the charming Gu Xun’er. Knowing that Xiao Han didn’t want others to know her secret, Yafei’s gaze didn’t linger on her for long.

After looking away, Yafei’s lips curled into an ambiguous smile.

The young lady beside Xiao Han must be her Junior Sister, right? Tsk tsk, no wonder even the cold Xiao Han cares so much about such a stunning person.

Unaware of Yafei’s thoughts, Xiao Han withdrew her gaze, feeling somewhat bored.

“I was wondering where you were hiding. So you’re here,” a familiar voice suddenly came from nearby. Xiao Han’s ears twitched slightly as she turned to look.

A young woman wearing what looked like an academy uniform was approaching them, followed by Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning. The young woman had a long sword hanging at her waist, and her long legs were particularly eye-catching.

“Cousin Xiao Yu,” Xiao Han and Gu Xun’er greeted the newcomer.

When Xiao Han previously “couldn’t cultivate”, most of the Xiao Family’s younger generation looked down on her. Only Xiao Yu treated her cordially, occasionally even helping to chase away some family members who “bullied” her. Thus, Xiao Han and Xiao Yu had a good relationship. Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning listened to Xiao Yu the most. Seeing Xiao Yu’s good attitude towards Xiao Han, even if they looked down on her, they wouldn’t openly go against Xiao Han, avoiding embarrassing their elder sister.

After greeting Gu Xun’er, Xiao Yu stood beside Xiao Han and said frankly: “Being able to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony means you’ve surpassed seven stages of Dou Disciple, right? How about it, want to apply to our Jia Nan Academy?”

Xiao Han nodded expressionlessly: “I’ll consider it.”

Xiao Yu clicked her tongue, somewhat dissatisfied, and reached out her mischievous hand to pinch Xiao Han’s face: “Why so serious at such a young age? Would it kill you to smile? What’s there to consider? Isn’t our Jia Nan Academy good enough for you to need consideration?”

Xiao Han raised her hand to remove Xiao Yu’s hand with slight exasperation: “Cousin Xiao Yu, it’s the coming-of-age ceremony today. Mind your image.”

Xiao Yu crossed her arms, at least not causing further trouble. She looked around and suddenly exclaimed in surprise: “Huh? Why is that bastard Xiao Yan here?”

Following her gaze, they indeed saw Xiao Yan standing smugly among the crowd.

Xiao Ning only glanced before averting his gaze in disgust: “This bastard used his connections and didn’t even participate in the test a month ago.”

Xiao Yu also showed a look of disdain but remained more rational: “The coming-of-age ceremony is different from the family test. With so many people from other forces present, lacking strength would embarrass oneself throughout Wutan City. Moreover, this bastard looks so smug. If I’m not mistaken, he must have recovered and should be at least at seven stages of Dou Disciple now.”

Xiao Ning and Xiao Mei both looked shocked.

“Listen, Xiao Ning, you fool, don’t rush up to fight him later. This guy is a psycho, capable of anything,” Xiao Yu, seeing the shock on Xiao Ning’s face, added another cautionary note.

Xiao Ning reluctantly mumbled an “oh” and lowered his head.

Over there, Xiao Yan sensed their gaze and turned his head. Upon seeing Xiao Yu, he couldn’t help but frown.

It’s that shrewish woman Xiao Yu again, how annoying! Back then, he had merely accidentally stumbled upon her bathing in a hot spring on the back mountain and unintentionally touched her thigh. As a result, this crazy woman chased him for half a year.

She’s also Xiao Ning’s elder sister. Their whole family is no good. Xiao Ning’s hostility towards him is largely due to her influence.

He, the chosen one blessed with good fortune, what’s wrong with just a touch? Apart from her legs, this Xiao Yu woman has neither looks nor talent. Acting as if he actually cared about her. Doesn’t she know her own worth?

Finding it irritating to look at them, Xiao Yan turned away, no longer paying attention to this group.

“The coming-of-age ceremony is about to begin. I need to return to my position,” Xiao Yu suddenly seemed to remember something and said to Xiao Han.

Xiao Han nodded: “Alright.”

Xiao Yu, despite being water-attributed, came and went as swiftly as the wind. Xiao Mei and Xiao Ning’s relationship with Xiao Han and the others was just average. Although Xiao Ning wanted to stay with his goddess Gu Xun’er, under Xiao Mei’s urging, he reluctantly followed Xiao Yu.

The coming-of-age ceremony’s procedures were so complex that it was almost headache-inducing.

Xiao Han had long since changed from standing to sitting. When the ceremony on stage had progressed more than halfway, it was finally Xiao Yan’s turn.

As the name was called on stage, a series of curious and skeptical gazes immediately descended from the VIP seats in the high platform.

Xiao Yan stood up smugly, carefully adjusted his clothes, and strode towards the stage with his head held high.

Under the gaze of the entire audience, Xiao Yan stood on the spot like an idiot for a full half hour before completing those tedious rituals.

If it weren’t for the desire to slap everyone’s faces, Xiao Yan would have long lost patience. Despite spending so much time, he still maintained a stiff face, his expression not particularly pleasant.

As soon as he stepped onto the stage, there was some commotion among the Xiao Family disciples below. They all knew that Xiao Yan hadn’t participated in the test a month ago, yet he was directly participating in the coming-of-age ceremony now. This made those who hadn’t passed the test very dissatisfied.

After completing these tedious procedures came the ceremony retest, which was another examination of Dou Disciple levels. The test a month ago was just a preliminary assessment, aimed at selecting the outstanding seeds from the clan. Only these outstanding clan members were qualified to hold the coming-of-age ceremony on this high platform. Those below seven stages could only hold some simplified ceremonies, which were quite modest.

The ceremony retest was much stricter and more detailed than the preliminary assessment. This retest would be personally monitored and examined by the Second Elder, whose strength was at the level of a two-star Great Dou Shi, showing the importance they attached to the coming-of-age ceremony.

However, for Xiao Yan, this was just the first test, as he hadn’t undergone the test a month ago at all.